[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 9/11 
                         COMMISSION ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2007

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1, Improving 
America's Security Act of 2007, which includes critical security 
provisions endorsed by the 9/11 Commission as well as an overdue 
expansion of the visa waiver program, VWP.
  Mr. Speaker, the visa waiver program is an immensely valuable program 
for the United States, and the legislation before us will not only 
enable us to expand the visa waiver program to additional allies who 
already offer U.S. citizens visa-free travel to their countries, but 
simultaneously strengthen the security aspects of the program.
  Although H.R. 1 expands the VWP, I would have preferred that the 
program expand to all the roadmap countries, among them some of 
America's most important and loyal allies, and I am hopeful Congress 
will take steps to address this issue in the near future.
  Despite my concerns that some roadmap countries may be excluded, this 
legislation is an important step towards addressing the security 
concerns that members of Congress have articulated about the visa 
waiver program. I am confident that once the security measures outlined 
in H.R. 1 are implemented, those members of Congress who previously had 
concerns about the program will be open to considering further 
expansion of the visa waiver program.
  In the meantime, it is imperative that the Bush Administration and 
Congress continue to work with our allies, who deserve to participate 
in the program. The United States should also provide assistance to 
help these governments reduce their visa refusal rates and meet all the 
necessary requirements detailed in the Improving America's Security 
Act.
  It is clear that H.R. 1 fulfills key 9/11 Commission recommendations 
and improves the security aspects of the visa waiver program, and I 
applaud my colleagues for their efforts to make our country safer and 
further expand this program. However, America cannot successfully fight 
the battle against international terrorism without the cooperation and 
trust of our allies. I would like to remind my colleagues that the 9/11 
Commission also stressed the need for diplomacy and cooperation with 
other Nations to address the threat of international terrorism. In this 
vein, further expansion of the visa waiver program can play a vital 
role in strengthening America's relationships and security partnerships 
with our most trusted allies--which is essential to preventing another 
9/11 disaster.

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